It was today a year ago that fate dealt Malaysian hockey a bitter
blow as Marcus Chua Boon Huat died tragically in a road accident.
His death sent shockwaves, with many still
being unable to come to terms that the life of a person, loved by so many was snatched
away all of a sudden.
While the family has tried to overcome the
loss of their loved one, Malaysian hockey has somewhat struggled to fill the
shows of the pony tailed smiling Chinese boy that hailed from Malacca.
Chua had a mission, and that was to see
Malaysia play in the World Cup, and although he was not there in The Hague last
May, there is no doubt that Chua played a vital role in ensuring Malaysia play
their first World Cup since 1998 on merit.
Chua gave his all when on the pitch, never
one to pull punches, and if only the current batch of national players can for
a moment stop and reflecy on how the famous Number 3 conducted himself on the
pitch, will they play their hearts out.
Chua had a tattoo “Living The Dream”
inscribed on his arm but today Malaysian hockey is “Living in the dreams”.
Ask any hockey fan, player or official, they
all have kind words to say about Chua, and he deserved every accolade that was
showered upon him as he left the world to be with his creator.
There is an important lesson that all
connected with Malaysian hockey can learn from Chua, for he was one person that
never gave up or threw the towel no matter how impossible the task looked.
Chua was left out of the national team for
reasons best known to some but he strived to prove critics wong, never
begrudged anyone as he worked hard on the pitch doing what he did best, let his
hockey do the talking.
And Chua was instrumental in the national
team that finished fifth in the World League in June last year in Johor Baru
that eventually paved the way for Malaysia to play in the 2014 World Cup.
Today Malaysian hockey is divided with many
factions, all pulling in the opposite direction, with personalities [utting
their self interest over the nations.
Chua is probably looking at all that is
transpiring from God’s home, shaking his head in disbelief that what was a
smooth ride a year ago has now ended tragically.
{ersonally I miss Chua, for his death coming
weeks after I lost my Mum last year created a big vacuum in my life, for Chua
was someone who would call and seekadvice on what to do when put in a
situation.
Chua, there is one humble request from all of
us to you, put in a good word to the almighty for Malaysian hockey needs divine
intervention since you are notaround personally to help us be back on the right
track.
Rest in peace brother, we all miss you.
